Philadelphia Curfew in the Works

Tired of flash mobs and the resulting chaos and violence, the city of Philadelphia enacted weekend curfews for young people under the age of 18.

The curfews came into effect on Friday. No flash mobs were reported over the weekend, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported, although there were curfew violations.

The curfews started Friday evening at 9 p.m. Approximately 50 under-18-year olds were arrested, the Associated Press reported.

Thirty minors were taken to the third district headquarters for violations, NBC Philadelphia reported Saturday.

Arrests took place in downtown and on South Street, where there are blocks filled with restaurants, stores and other hangouts that are popular destinations for teenagers, police spokesperson Tanya Little said, according to the AP.

The Phildelphia curfews have been enforced due to sporadic violent flash mobs throughout the city over the past year.

"You've damaged yourself, you've damaged another person, you've damaged your peers and, quite honestly, you've damaged your own race," Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter, who is black, said from the pulpit of his church the weekend before th curfews came into effect.

Violators can be charged up to $300 for their first arrest and up to $500 for subsequent arrests.

"We are going to continue to promote the positive, but we will also have continued enforcement of the curfew," Nutter said in a statement. "It is strict and serious and there are no exceptions."